Autism Nutrition & Cooking Class

For generations, knowledge was passed on about how to prepare foods for maximum digestibility and nutrient assimilation. Today’s modern highly processed, refined foods – even those found in health food stores such as cold cereal, unfermented grain products like rice crackers and gluten-free bread, soy foods as dairy substitutes - are often very difficult to digest and low in available nutrients. Instead, we will focus on incorporating traditional foods into our modern lifestyle – foods that for centuries promoted healthy digestion, immune function, and overall health – fermented foods, nutrient dense broths, proper soaking of grains, and identifying the best quality animal/farming methods for optimum nutritional value.

Children with autism often have poor digestion, low immune function, and deficient nutritional status; however they can often be very sensitive and easily imbalanced. Supplements can be great but are not tolerated by some people: they can be too strong or concentrated and imbalance something else, or they can lack the other necessary balancing nutrients that nature normally provides in the whole food variety. We will discuss how these foods: aid digestion, increase nutrient absorption and reserves, support brain function and balance, enhance immune function, and nourish the growth and development of children.

This class incorporates elements of many effective diets commonly applied with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) including GFCF, SCD, Low Oxalate, Body Ecology, diets for yeast overgrowth, and food sensitivities.  We will discuss how to adapt food choices to fit within dietary requirements, and more! .

We will discuss the “why” and the “how to.”

Led by: Julie Matthews, Certified Nutrition Consultant

You will learn the benefits of, and how to prepare:

• Fermented foods: Lacto-fermented fruits and kombucha (two favorite children’s fermented foods), raw sauerkraut, and more (excellent for digestion, reducing yeast overgrowth, immune function)
• Broths and soups: Vegetable and mineral broths, chicken and beef stocks, and soups (boost and “sneak in” nutrition with nutrient dense foods for picky eaters)
• Raw dairy and fermented dairy products including butter, yogurt, kefir, and whey (When tolerated, raw dairy has many nutritional benefits, including calcium absorption, immune support, and digestive support. As the gut heals, raw dairy is often tolerated when regular dairy is a problem - excellent for those on SCD)
• Soaking and fermenting grains, nuts, and beans including how to make nut milk and nut butter (essential preparation for proper digestion and nutrient absorption of all “seeds”)
• Foods from pasture-raised animals (nourishing to the brain and the nerves)

For those starting out: you'll learn essential basics.
For those who have been working with diet for a while: you'll learn to further optimize nutrition.

Even picky eaters will benefit greatly as the class presents modified options just for them. Even if they get only a small amount of these healing foods – they need it the most. Even small amounts are a great start and wonderfully healing.

Traditional Healing Foods for Children on the Autistic Spectrum includes nutrition education on the health benefits of these delicious foods, hands-on experience preparing them, and specifically tailored suggestions to getting children with autism to eat it.

Class includes:

• Nutrition information workbook with recipes
• Food tastings
• Jar of “class-made” sauerkraut to ferment at home
• Meet others